Music Wanted!
Okay, this has nothing to do with writing, but I realized yesterday that I need some new-to-me music in my life. I still listen to either classical or oldies stations on the radio because I have no idea what else is out there. I like almost all music with the exception of jazz. I particularly love emotional music that affects you viscerally as well as aurally (is that a word?) What are your favorites?
I don’t listen to the radio at home. When we are in the car we listen to XM Radio channel 23-The Heart. I really love to listen to Luther Vandross sing Dance With My Father Again, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. I like the older George Jones kind of country music although the older I get, the sadder it becomes 🙂 I also like guitar, piano, and even banjo instrumentals.
Lorene
I listen to ‘the boss’ Bruce Springsteen when working out and many times while I paint…like Lorene, listen to Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Celine…many times I get out my old fav’s of Peter Paul and Mary…always have my radio on at my ‘day job’ with easy listening which includes hearing Josh Groban and a variety of vocalists…when it’s instrumental I want I listen to piano solos, Kenny G and Caribbean drum music…basically I like most music (that makes sense) and gives a message.
Luther Vandross. That’s good! Haven’t thought about his music in a while. I’m a major Bruuuuuuuuuce fan, too, Margo. And love Josh Groban. But is there anything NEW out there worth listening to?
I’ve been hearing a song quite often that I like and finally caught the artist’s name as Kelly Clarkson…I’ve been tempted to buy her CD but don’t know what the other songs are like. Can’t tell you the name of the song either but just know that I really like it. Also like Leann Rimes’ latest. Other than that, nothing new really comes to mind.
Kelly Clarkson was an American Idol winner. Great voice. At critique group tonight, one member (age 29) told us about going to a Ben Harper concert and she played a little of him on her computer for us. So maybe I’ll give him a try.
Music is pretty close to the center of my universe. I usually listen to Linkin Park, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Tupac, The Game, Paul Wall, Big and Rich, Montgomery Gentry, Green Day, Smile Empty Soul (Nowhere Kids is like my anthem), Tantric, Trapt, From Zero, Fort Minor, a lot of 70’s & 80’s rock like Aerosmith, CCR, Simon and Garfunkel to name a few…. I don’t listen to the radio much unless I forget my MP3 player then I station hop.
Margo…I have yet to hear a Kelly Clarkson song I haven’t liked. I don’t think you’d be disappointed in any of her cds.
Thx for the tip Krysia…I’ll take your word for it and look for her CD tomorrow…
Krysia, I was hoping you’d happen along! I figured you’d be in the know when it comes to new music. Of those you mentioned, could you tell me one or two artists who would allow me to work my way slowly and gently in 2006?
Well I’ve had a heck of a time getting into here the past few weeks. Either my laptop is possessed or my internet is as podunk as where I live.
Some of what I listen to depends on taste. A lot of my writing has been done to Linkin Park (which is a Rock/Rap cross). Now my dad likes them so they can’t be all that bad. Fort Minor is a group started by one of the Linkin Park members (if you’ve seen the preview to the tv show Friday Night Lights they sing the song in the commercial), it’s mostly Rap to a Rock beat. Eminem, Dr. Dre, Tupac (I recomend him to anyone he’s got a lot of music about life on the street and it makes you not feel so down, my fav of his is Keep Ya Head Up), The Game and Paul Wall are all rap so if you can handle it it’s not so bad. Green Day is pretty political but their Dookie album from about 94ish (I just know I was in high school) is pretty good, it’s a punk album. Their American Idiot album is probably more political than most, the entire album tells a story. Smile Empty Soul is a mellow rock band, I haven’t heard their new CD (it comes out in Oct) but their self titled one is good, some that I like is Nowhere Kids, Bottom of a Bottle, and Silhouettes. Tantric, Trapt and From Zero are pretty hard rock and not real mainstream. Mongomery Gentry and Big and Rich are pretty good, I only like select songs of Montgomery Gentry and usually just purchase the songs online. Big and Rich I am big into, I own all their cds and love them not only because they support the state I live in but some of their music really hits you (like 8th of November).
So out of what I listed if you want something mellow I’d go Kelly Clarkson (everything by her is really good), Smile Empty Soul, Linkin Park or Green Day. You can check most of them out at launch.com which has videos, you’ll need a yahoo account or else itunes to hear snipets and same with msn music. I could list a lot more but it’s been a long day and starts all over in a few short hours so I hope this helps!
Krysia
(Sorry it’s so long sometimes I type like I talk in real life)
I should have mentioned Big and Rich in the recomendations also. I recomend them to any and everyone.
Thanks, Krysia. I’m overwhelmed. Maybe when I get some time this weekend, I’ll take a listen at launch. it’s so cool to be able to preview music before you buy in that way.
Music is my first love–I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t singing! Most of the music I listen to is from the Christian radio station that comes out of California–KLOVE. Some of my favorites that really have a message are Ginny Owens, Nicole Nordeman, and Chris Rice. They all sing songs about life and the questions we have about why we’re here and what it all means. Some of the groups I really like are Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, and Third Day. They also have great stories in their songs.
At most Barnes & Noble stores you can listen to bits of songs on any CD. They have these machines that you just put on the headphones, scan the barcode on the cd, and listen. It’s really great for anything that looks interesting but you’re not sure about. So that’s my 2 cents worth! Have a tune-filled day!
Laura has the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard and should be on Broadway…if she had a CD available I’d send it to you Diane because you’d love listening to her while you write. Laura has been asked repeatedly to sing at special events around town which most recently included performing at the HEALING FIELD, in memory of the victims of 911. She is a member of the DM Choral Society, an honor in itself and has also performed in local plays. If I sound like I’m proud of her, I am! She’s not only my very good friend but an angel with a voice to match.
Margo and Laura, what a talented team you are with your painting and singing! I wish I had a good voice, but alas, it’s a voice designed for singing in a choir. that could be worse, i suppose!
Laura, I love songs with stories in them (gee i wonder why?) So many songs give me ideas for my writing. Lee Smith, who is North Carolina’s favorite novelist, has a new book out called AGATE HILL and I just heard her talking about it and reading from it on NPR. It sounds wonderful, and the story was inspired by a song of the same name, written by a friend of hers.
I just reserved On Agate Hill. Lee Smith is a favorite of mine and the only thing I read of hers that I didn’t absolutely love was The Last Girls. My favorites were Fair And Tender Ladies and Saving Grace.
Lorene
I loved one of her first, if not her first, novel, called ORAL HISTORY. I met her earlier this year at a writers’ event and told her how much that book helped me as I wrote SECRET LIVES. She replied that she didn’t know what she was doing as she wrote ORAL HISTORY, which is exactly how I feel/felt about my first book. She was as charming and warm as her stories.
Diane,
I think you’ll love to listen to anything by Vince Gill.
His voice, words and songs/stories are mesmerizing.
Give him a try.
Anita
Okie doke, Anita. I’ll add him to my list.
By the way, my brother told me about an amazing website, http://www.pandora.com, where you can have the computer pick out music you will like based on music you already like. I’m going to give it a try.
The operas of Puccini! “La Bohème”. Verdi. Others. Makes me eager to write abour passion!
Johanna
YES, Johanna! La Traviata is my favorite. I haven’t tried writing to opera. . . hmmm. . . I can’t write when there are lyrics playing, but since I won’t understand the lyrics, it might work. I usually write to emotional soundtracks (braveheart, sommersby, the piano, dances with wolves, out of africa need to get some new ones). love the ups and downs of the gorgeous music. By the way, did you ever see the movie of La Traviata? A young placido domingo. yum.
in my second novel, LOVERS AND STRANGERS (I’m not responsible for that stupid title), I had one of the characters, David, love opera so that I, too, could learn to love it. It worked.
a bit of Dougie Maclean will likely take your writer’s mind to interesting perceptions. and too, nobody i know can resist singing along with him. maclean’s music and lyrics embody a deceptive simplicity that appeals to the poet in me. but then, i happen to love the ideation of complexity hidden within that which appears to be simple on its surface.
kate, i’ve jotted down his name and i’ll listen on pandora.com later. i’ve really gotten into pandora.com since this thread started. it’s wonderful for discovering new music. thanks for the suggestion of maclean.
Diane, you may want to check out my web page on CD Baby, http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/fchunter. If you don’t like jazz, skip #3. But give a special listen to #4 — if you like classical pops concerts, I think you will enjoy it.
— Felicia
Hi from Oregon!
Check out my brother’s website – rubberhorn.com. He’s a trumpeter. He has played everything from big band to funk. Let me know what you think. Rick is a professional. He’s been playing for 30 years.